[MARMAM] New publication: Exploring ship traffic variability off California

2018-09-07 Thread T.J. Moore
My co-authors and I are happy to note that the following paper has been
published:

Moore, T.J., Redfern, J.V., Carver, M., Hastings, S., Adams, J.D., and
Silber, G.K., 2018.  Exploring ship traffic variability off California. *Ocean
& Coastal Management* 163: 515-527 (DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2018.03.010).

Abstract
Seaborne trade continues to grow and is an important component of the
global economy. Threats from shipping to marine ecosystems include oil
spills and other water pollution, air pollution, anchor scouring,
biological invasions, container loss, chronic noise, and collisions between
ships and large whales. Shipping and its associated threats can be
influenced by a suite of regulations and economic events. The dynamic
nature of ship traffic can be characterized using ship tracking data from
automatic identification system (AIS) technology. These data enhance our
ability to analyze the ecological threats from commercial shipping as a
component of spatially explicit risk assessments. We explore ship traffic
variability using a case study in waters off California. AIS data from 2008
to 2015 were used to evaluate the role of vessel emission regulations and
economic events on vessel routes and speeds. We document vessels navigating
around emission control areas (ECAs) or reducing speed when traveling
through them. Large freight vessels decreased speeds from 2008 to 2015 by
about 3–6 knots in many areas, with lowered speeds observed in areas of
both heavy and sparse vessel use. The timing and location of the speed
reductions appear to be most influenced by state and international clean
fuel standards, which required the use of more costly fuels. Therefore, the
speed reductions may have provided a more cost-effective means of travel.
We also found temporary speed increases off southern California when
vessels used longer routes to avoid traveling through an ECA. We conclude
that the establishment of ECAs had a profound influence on vessel routes
and speeds, likely due to the higher costs of clean fuels. Proposals have
come before the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to establish
clean fuel requirements in various locations around the world to reduce
air-borne emissions from vessels. Our research suggests such proposals, or
other events that may affect marine fuel prices, can have key impacts on
vessel behavior. Consequently, it is important to consider this variability
when designing strategies to minimize threats from shipping to vulnerable
biophysical systems.

Keywords
Maritime shipping, Automatic identification system, Air pollution
regulations, Cetaceans, Slow steaming, Fuel prices

A share link is available and provides access to read and download the
article in the next 50 days (before October 26, 2018).  No sign up,
registration or fees are required.  The link is:

https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1Xh2z3RKK-cJM5

Kind regards,

T.J. Moore
NOAA SWFSC
La Jolla, CA
thomas.j.mo...@noaa.gov
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[MARMAM] New paper: using mobile ADCP surveys to understand pinniped at-sea distribution in turbulent environments

2018-09-07 Thread Lilian Lieber
Dear colleagues,

My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication on fine-scale 
hydrodynamic forcing underlying pinniped at-sea occupancy patterns in a highly 
dynamic tidal channel:

Lieber L, Nimmo-Smith WAM, Waggitt JJ, Kregting L. (2018) Fine-scale 
hydrodynamic metrics underlying predator occupancy patterns in tidal stream 
environments. Ecological Indicators 94, 397–408. 
doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.06.071.


Abstract

Whilst the development of the tidal stream industry will help meet marine 
renewable energy (MRE) targets, the potential impacts on mobile marine 
predators using these highly dynamic environments need consideration. 
Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) required for potential MRE sites 
generally involve site-specific animal density estimates obtained from lengthy 
and costly surveys. Recent studies indicate that whilst large-scale tidal 
forcing is predictable, local hydrodynamics are variable and often result in 
spatio-temporal patchiness of marine predators. Therefore, understanding how 
fine-scale hydrodynamics influence animal distribution patterns could inform 
the placing of devices to reduce collision and displacement risks.
Quantifying distributions requires animal at-sea locations and the concurrent 
collection of high-resolution hydrodynamic measurements. As the latter are 
routinely collected during tidal resource characterization at potential MRE 
sites, there is an untapped opportunity to efficiently collect information on 
the former to improve EIAs. Here we describe a survey approach that uses 
vessel-mounted ADCP (Acoustic Doppler current profiler) transects in 
combination with marine mammal surveys to collect high-resolution and 
concurrent hydrodynamic data in relation to pinniped (harbour seals Phoca 
vitulina, grey seals Halichoerus grypus) at-sea occupancy patterns within an 
energetic tidal channel (peak current magnitudes >4.5 ms−1).
We identified novel ADCP-derived fine-scale hydrodynamic metrics that could 
have ecological relevance for seals using these habitats. We show that our 
local acoustic backscattering strength metric (an indicator for 
macro-turbulence) had the highest influence on seal encounters. During peak 
flows, pinnipeds avoided the mid-channel characterized by extreme backscatter. 
At-sea occupancy further corresponded with the increased shear and eddies that 
are strong relative to the mean flows found at the edges of the channel.
Our approach, providing oceanographic context to animal habitat use through 
combined survey methodologies, enhances environmental management of potential 
MRE sites. The cost-effective collection of such data and the application of 
our metrics could streamline the EIA process in the early stages of the 
consenting process.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X18305181?via%3Dihubhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X18305181?via%3Dihub

To get access to the full article, please send an email to: l.lie...@qub.ac.uk 
or request the PDF via ResearchGate.

Best,
Lilian

Dr Lilian Lieber
Research Fellow
School of Natural and Built Environment
Queen's University Marine Laboratory Portaferry
12-13 The Strand, Portaferry
BT22 1PF Northern Ireland

Webpages: Queen's University Marine Research 
Group,
 Research 
Gate, Google 
Scholar  
Mobile: +44 (0)7837425855
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[MARMAM] New paper on bottlenose dolphin population structure and dispersal

2018-09-07 Thread Milaja Nykänen
Dear colleagues,

On behalf of my co-authors, I'd like to draw your attention to a recently
published paper on bottlenose dolphin population structure and dispersal
between Marine Protected Areas.

Nykänen M, Dillane E, Englund A, Foote AD, Ingram SN, Louis M, Mirimin L,
Oudejans M, Rogan E. 2018. Quantifying dispersal between marine protected
areas by a highly mobile species, the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops
truncatus. Ecology and Evolution doi: 10.1002/ece3.4343

The article is open access and is available at:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ece3.4343


Abstract
The functioning of marine protected areas (MPAs) designated for marine
megafauna has been criticized due to the high mobility and dispersal
potential of these taxa. However, dispersal within a network of small MPAs
can be beneficial as connectivity can result in increased effective
population size, maintain genetic diversity, and increase robustness to
ecological and environmental changes making populations less susceptible to
stochastic genetic and demographic effects (i.e., Allee effect). Here, we
use both genetic and photo‐identification methods to quantify gene flow and
demographic dispersal between MPAs of a highly mobile marine mammal, the
bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus. We identify three populations in the
waters of western Ireland, two of which have largely nonoverlapping core
coastal home ranges and are each strongly spatially associated with
specific MPAs. We find high site fidelity of individuals within each of
these two coastal populations to their respective MPA. We also find low
levels of demographic dispersal between the populations, but it remains
unclear whether any new gametes are exchanged between populations through
these migrants (genetic dispersal). The population sampled in the Shannon
Estuary has a low estimated effective population size and appears to be
genetically isolated. The second coastal population, sampled outside of the
Shannon, may be demographically and genetically connected to other coastal
subpopulations around the coastal waters of the UK. We therefore recommend
that the methods applied here should be used on a broader geographically
sampled dataset to better assess this connectivity.

Kind regards,
Milaja Nykanen

-- 
Dr Milaja Nykanen
School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences,
University College Cork
Cork, Ireland
m.nyka...@ucc.ie
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[MARMAM] Searching annotated/labeled audio files of cetacean vocalizations

2018-09-07 Thread Gianni Pavan
dear all,
I'm searching public, free accessible, or private sound libraries,
either accessible for free or with fees, with collections of identified and
labeled/annotated cetacean species vocalizations. This is a preliminary
survey to locate possible sources of species-specific vocalizations to
exercise with species recognition programs. For this type of application it
is required to have at least hundreds of identified vocalizations for each
species, with "annotated files" where each individual sound is identified
and labelled; another option is to have a collection of files each one
containing only one sound unit. By searching on google many sound
libriaries pop up, but only Mobysound appears to have what I search. Any
info about other sources will be highly appreciated. Recordings of tonal
sounds are highly preferred.

thanks in advance
Gianni Pavan

-- 
Centro Interdisciplinare di Bioacustica e Ricerche Ambientali
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente
Università degli Studi di Pavia
Via Taramelli 24, 27100 Pavia
http://www.unipv.it/cibra
http://mammiferimarini.unipv.it
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[MARMAM] marine mammals library reduced

2018-09-07 Thread Jay R Cordeiro
MARINE MAMMALS LIBRARY REMAINDER DISCOUNTED!



To those interested, the remainder of a fine collection of marine mammal books 
from the private collection of fishery biologist Jeff Breiwick has now been 
reduced and is being offered for sale. All remaining items (link below) are 10% 
OFF THE LIST PRICE! In addition, purchases of $200 or more are offered at 20% 
reduction. Jeff was a fishery biologist with the National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NOAA) in Seattle for 37 years. Jeff served for three years in the 
Peace Corps in Chile where he worked in a hake and a crab sampling program. He 
later returned to the U.S. to work on whale population dynamics and stock 
assessment issues while with NMFS and was a member of the Scientific Committee 
of the IWC. He has collected books on cetaceans since the late 1970s and 
recently retired in 2014. . A complete list of primarily marine mammals books 
from Jeff's library is viewable here:
https://sites.google.com/site/northeastnaturalhistory/home/classroom-news/breiwickmarinemammalslibrary


Please direct all inquiries to unio...@comcast.net.

Thanks,


Jay Cordeiro
Northeast Natural History & Supply
24 North Grove Street
Middleboro, MA 02346
unio...@comcast.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/northeastnaturalhistory/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NortheastNaturalHistorySupply/




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[MARMAM] IFAW Marine Mammal Stranding Internships

2018-09-07 Thread Patchett, Kristen
The International Fund for Animal Welfare is accepting applications for Winter 
/ Spring 2019 Marine Mammal Stranding Internships.

Winter Session 2018 (January 15, 2019 - mid/ late May 2019 )
Complete Applications due: October 1, 2018

Program Background
IFAW is an international non-profit organization. This internship is based out 
of our International Operations Center in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, USA. 
IFAW's Marine Mammal Rescue and Research program is a federally authorized 
program dedicated to marine mammal stranding response on Cape Cod and 
southeastern Massachusetts. Our division's mission is to promote the 
conservation of marine mammal species and their habitat by improving the rescue 
and humane care of stranded marine mammals, advancing stranding science, and 
increasing public awareness through education. Cape Cod is a marine mammal 
stranding "hot spot," with an average of over 240 strandings occurring each 
year. These strandings include live and dead seals, whales, porpoises, and 
dolphins.

Only complete applications will be considered.  Please click on the link below 
for more information and to submit an application.
https://recruiting.ultipro.com/INT1059IFFA/JobBoard/17b588a3-808b-4bc9-aea8-c3385a35ec51/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=52c38266-a6cb-41d8-925e-16e22a4f28c0


Kristen Patchett CVT | Stranding Coordinator
Marine Mammal Rescue and Research
___
IFAW - International Fund for Animal Welfare
International Operations Center
290 Summer Street - Yarmouth Port, MA 02675
tel. 1.508.744.2171 email. kpatch...@ifaw.org

Saving Animals in Crisis Around the World www.ifaw.org

The content of this email is intended only for the use of the above-named 
addressee and may contain information
that is confidential, proprietary, and/or legally privileged. Please notify the 
sender if you received this email in error.
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[MARMAM] NEAq opening

2018-09-07 Thread Alicia Mendonza
The New England Aquarium is seeking a Research Assistant, Aerial Observer to 
participate in our aerial surveys for whales, dolphins and sea turtles in outer 
continental shelf federal waters off Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This area 
is currently proposed for offshore alternative energy development. Duties will 
include serving as an observer on all aerial surveys; quality checking data; 
coordination with the chief scientist and flight crew; and analysis of vertical 
photographs for the detection and identification of marine mammal and turtle 
species.  The majority of field work will be aerial, although there may be 
opportunities to get involved in shipboard surveys with collaborators depending 
on contract opportunities. This is a grant funded staff position with at least 
12 months of staffing provided. Additional service may be afforded only if 
additional grant funding is secured.  *Please note the deadline for 
applications is Friday, September 14th 2018. Applicants who!
  are available to start in mid-October preferred* 

SCHEDULE
Office schedule will be Monday -- Friday, 9:00 AM -- 5:00 PM.
Flight days will require irregular hours and some long days. Occasional 
weekends and holidays will be required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Participates in all aerial survey activities, including observer logistics, 
scientific data collection, monthly reporting, photographic and data analysis, 
and assistance with monthly reports and final annual report writing as needed.
2. Survey safety equipment and camera maintenance, preparation and in-flight 
troubleshooting as needed.
3. Follow safe operational requirements for every survey area, maintains flight 
and data logs, assists data quality checking and assurance, assists summarizing 
data and reports.
4. Photo-analysis of digital imagery for species detection and identifications, 
data processing and analysis as needed.
5. Performs other position-related duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Training and Experience
1. A or B.S in Biology or related science, M.S with comparable experience 
preferred.
2. At least one year of marine mammal aerial survey flight time.
3. Good communication and coordination skills.
4. Handling large databases and performing quality checks.
5. Meeting deadlines for data and report deliverables.
6. Photographic skills and photo-identification experience.
7. Attention to detail for proofing and quality checking data
8. Ability to spend long hours performing photo analysis in the office.
9. Comfortable flying in a small aircraft (Can't get motion sickness)
10. Valid driver's license

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
1. Participation in right whale, other large whale, and turtle aerial research 
programs.
2. Maintaining and purchasing aerial survey equipment.
3. Familiarity with digital photography equipment and field use.
4. Computer skills, especially excel, access, word.

For more information and to apply online please visit: 
http://neaq.applicantpro.com/jobs/ 
New England Aquarium is committed to diversity in the workplace and is an Equal 
Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC. 
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[MARMAM] Research Internship Opportunity at Dolphin Research Center

2018-09-07 Thread Christina Tilley
Dolphin Research Center Internships



Dolphin Research Center (DRC) is currently accepting applications for
Research Interns for the Winter 2019 term (January - April). DRC is a
not-for-profit education and research facility, home to a family of
dolphins and sea lions.  DRC is located on Grassy Key, in the heart of the
Florida Keys.



Internships at DRC are an exciting way to develop career skills as well as
an opportunity to see how a marine mammal facility operates. Research
interns participate in DRC's ongoing behavioral, cognitive, and field
research projects, giving them broad exposure to a variety of research
methodologies. Interns receive extensive on-the-job training in observing
marine mammal behavior, collecting observational data, working with
research equipment, and assisting with experimental research sessions.  Note:
conducting your own research projects is not part of this position.



Specific job duties include:

· Collecting observational behavioral data

· Preparing stimuli for cognitive research sessions

· Assisting in setting up and breaking down equipment for cognitive
and acoustic research sessions

· Operating video equipment

· Entering or scanning data into the computer for analysis

· General support of the facility through participation in the
volunteer resource pool (facility maintenance, bird care, assisting with
public programs, guest interactions, etc.)



Internships require a minimum of a 16-week commitment, 40 hours per week.
The internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for providing their
own housing. DRC will provide assistance in locating housing and/or
matching up interns and volunteers desiring roommates. Successful
candidates will be ready and willing to learn, self-motivated, and
flexible. Prior research experience is recommended but not required.



The deadline to apply is October 1st.  To apply, you must download the
application available at www.dolphins.org.  Click "Careers", and then
"Internships”. It is mandatory that you please provide the following
package:



- A completed Application Form (including your Internship Preferences in
order of choice under Section B)

- A current Resume

- Transcript (may be unofficial unless you are seeking a credit for your
internship)

- Two Letters of Recommendation with an original signature.  (If currently
enrolled in college, one letter must be from your Faculty Advisor)



Currently, applications cannot be submitted online. Please send your
application, supporting documentation, and any additional information you
wish that you feel would be beneficial to us in processing your application
by fax to the attention of Volunteer Resource at (305) 743-7627 or by
regular mail:



Dolphin Research Center

Attn: Volunteer Resources Department

58901 Overseas Highway

Grassy Key, FL 33050

USA





Select publications:

King, S.L., Guarino, E., Keaton, L., Erb, L., & Jaakkola, K. (2016).
Maternal signature whistle use aids mother-calf reunions in a bottlenose
dolphin,Tursiops truncatus. Behavioural Processes, 126, 64-70.

King, S. L., Guarino, E., Donegan, K., Hecksher, J., & Jaakkola, K (in
press). Further insights into postpatrum signature whistle use in
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Marine Mammal Science.

Jaakkola, K. (2014). Do animals understand invisible displacement? A
critical review. Journal of Comparative Psychology, Vol. 128, No. 3,
225-239.

Jaakkola, K., Guarino, E., Rodriguez, M., & Hecksher, J. (2013). Switching
strategies: A dolphin's use of passive and active acoustics to imitate
motor actions. Animal Cognition, 16, 701-709.

Jaakkola, K. (2012). Cetacean cognitive specializations. In J. Vonk & T.
Shackleford (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Evolutionary
Psychology (pp. 144–165). New York: Oxford University Press.

Jaakkola, K., Guarino, E., & Rodriguez, M. (2010).  Blindfolded imitation
in a bottlenose dolphin   (Tursiops truncatus).  International Journal of
Comparative Psychology, 23, 671-688.

Jaakkola, K., Guarino, E., Rodriguez, M., Erb, L., & Trone, M. (2010). What
do dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) understand about hidden objects?  Animal
Cognition, 13, 103-120.

Jaakkola, K., Fellner, W., Erb, L., Rodriguez, A. M., & Guarino, E.
(2005).  Understanding the concept of numerically “less” by bottlenose
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).  Journal of Comparative Psychology
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[MARMAM] Final Call: Training Course - An Introduction To Using GIS/QGIS In Biological Research, 1-2 October 2018

2018-09-07 Thread Colin D. MacLeod
This is the final call for attendees for our upcoming introductory training 
course for those who wish to learn how to use GIS in biological research, and 
it will provide an introduction to using GIS in a wide variety of biological 
research situations, including marine mammal research, and the course includes 
two marine-mammal-specific practical exercises (one based around calculating 
the observed abundance per  unit survey effort of dolphins using a grid-based 
approach, and one based around mapping species richness for North Atlantic 
beaked whales). It is primmarily based around a GIS software package called 
QGIS, which is free to use. As a result, it is one of the best options for 
doing GIS for self-employed MMOs, small environmental consultancies, NGOs, 
those working on small marine mammal research projects with limited budgets for 
purchasing software licences and students working at universities who do not 
have access to commercial GIS software packages.

The course will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, on the 1st and 2nd of October 
2018, and it will be taught by Dr Colin D. MacLeod, who has more than 15 years 
experience in using GIS for a wide variety of biological purposes. For those 
who cannot attend this course in person, a shorter online course based on the 
same materials is available from our sister site www.GISforBiologists.com.

The course will primarily be based around QGIS (also known as Quantum GIS), 
which provides a user-friendly, open-source, free alternative to commercial GIS 
software packages, and it is becoming increasingly widely used in both academic 
and commercial organisations  As a result, it is aimed at both those with no 
GIS experience, but wish to learn how to do GIS with QGIS, and also those who 
are familiar with using commercial GIS software, such as ArcGIS, but who wish 
to learn how to use QGIS as an alternative. However, this course is taught 
using software-independent approach, and it is also open to those who wish to 
learn how to use ArcGIS to do biological GIS.

The practical exercises on this course will be based on those in the recently 
published GIS For Biologists: A Practical Introduction For Undergraduates  by 
Dr MacLeod, and a free copy of this book will be provided to all participants.

Attendance will be limited to a maximum of 16 people, and the course will cost 
£295 per person (£200 for students, the unwaged and those working for 
registered charities).  To book a place, or for more information, visit 
http://gisinecology.com/an-introduction-to-using-gis-in-biological-research/ or 
email i...@gisinecology.com.

Glasgow has great transport links and is within half a days travel by car or by 
fast train links from most cities in the UK. For example, it can be reached in 
as little as 4h 30mins from London by train. It can also be reached by direct 
flights from many European cities and the flight time is generally under four 
hours.

The course will be held in central Glasgow at the IET Glasgow Teacher Building 
(14 St Enoch Square, Glasgow, G1 4DB, UK).

Attendees will be responsible for their own accommodation. However, Glasgow 
provides a wide range of accommodation options to fit most budgets.

==
GIS IN ECOLOGY - Providing Training, Advice And Consultancy On The Use Of GIS 
In Ecology

Web: www.GISinEcology.com Email: i...@gisinecology.com

Need to ask a question about using GIS? Try the GIS In Ecology Forum: 
www.GISinEcology.com/GIS_in_Ecology_forum.htm

Books From GIS In Ecology Staff:

GIS For Biologists: A Practical Introduction For Undergraduates; RRP: £24.99
An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology; RRP: £44.99
An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology: Supplementary Workbook One - 
Creating Maps Of Species Distribution; RRP: £19:99

If you wish to purchase these books, visit: 
http://www.gisinecology.com/Book_Shop.htm

To help the environment, please do not print out this email unless it is 
unavoidable.
==


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[MARMAM] New Publication: Spatiotemporal patterns of overlap between short-finned pilot whales and pelgaic longlines off of the US East Coast

2018-09-07 Thread Julia Stepanuk
Dear MARMAM readers,

We are pleased to announce the recent publication of the following
paper in *Fisheries
Research*:

Stepanuk, JEF; Read, AJ; Baird, RW; Webster, DL; Thorne, LH (2018)
Spatiotemporal patterns of overlap between short-finned pilot whales and
the U.S. pelagic longline fishery in the Mid-Atlantic Bight: An assessment
to inform the management of fisheries bycatch.* Fisheries Research*, 208,
309-320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2018.07.008.

Abstract: Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) depredate
pelagic longlines along the shelf break of the Mid-Atlantic Bight. The
mortality and serious injury of short-finned pilot whales in the U.S.
pelagic longline fishery recently exceeded Potential Biological Removal
levels defined under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act, and bycatch
mitigation techniques developed to date have been unsuccessful. We examine
the spatial and temporal characteristics of pilot whale habitat use and
longline fishing effort, quantify spatiotemporal patterns of pilot whale
bycatch based on environmental factors, and assess the potential for a
spatial management approach to mitigate pilot whale bycatch. We assess
patterns of overlap and bycatch of pilot whales and longlines by applying
Area Under the Curve and Williamson’s Spatial Overlap Index analyses to
telemetry data from short-finned pilot whales, along with longline fishing
effort and Pelagic Observer Program (POP) fisheries observer data from 2014
and 2015. We found that proximity to the 1000 m isobath, season, and sea
surface temperature (SST) were important variables influencing pilot
whale-longline overlap and POP bycatch rates. Pilot whale density was
consistently highest immediately inshore of the 1000 m isobath, but
longline effort varied seasonally relative to the 1000 m isobath. Resultant
seasonal patterns in pilot whale-longline overlap relative to the 1000 m
isobath were strongly and significantly correlated with POP bycatch rates;
the highest bycatch rates primarily occurred in fall and winter months,
when longline effort shifted inshore near the 1000 m isobath. We observed
differences in the distribution of logbook and POP longline sets relative
to the 1000 m isobath; POP sets were more dispersed relative to this
feature while the overall distribution of longline effort was typically
focused at the 1000 m isobath. Since bycatch primarily occurred close to
the 1000 m isobath, more bycatch might be observed if the observer effort
better reflected the overall distribution of longline effort. In winter
months, POP bycatch occurred in cooler waters than most observations of
tagged pilot whales, and therefore the relationship between bycatch and SST
during winter months requires further exploration. Together, our results
suggest that a spatial management approach could be effective in reducing
pilot whale bycatch in the pelagic longline fishery, and an improved
understanding of the relationships between pilot whale bycatch and dynamic
variables might allow high-risk regions for pilot whale bycatch to be
further delineated.

The paper has 50 days free access at the following link:
https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1Xgd8_3nFpNYis

Best,
Julia
-- 
*Julia Stepanuk*
PhD Student
M.S. Marine Science
Stony Brook University
Department of Ecology and Evolution
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